While Max 2: White House Hero is a sequel to the 2015 film Max, I get the feeling the only thing they have in common is the title character. While the first film was a drama about a military service dog who loses his owner during battle and makes a new life with the young man's family, in Max 2: White House Hero, Max is on loan to the White House while the regular security dog, Charlie, is out on maternity leave. President Bennett (Lochlyn Munro, Riverdale) has invited Russian President Bragov (Andrew Kavadas) to the White House to discuss peace talks and nuclear weapons, and they'll need Max for the extra security detail, although Secret Service Agent Thorn (Reese Alexander) isn't too keen on the idea. His feelings don't change much when President Bennett's 12-year-old son TJ (Zane Austin) meets Max and the pair become instant friends, as he is concerned the dog will lose his focus.

Since TJ has had a tough time adjusting to life under the microscope at the White House, with his only friend being affable White House Chef Coop (Bradley Stryker), TJ is allowed to spend time with the dog and the two become inseparable. TJ soon discovers he'll be keeping Alex Bragov entertained while their fathers discuss matters of worldwide importance, but his attitude changes a bit to discover Alex is short for Alexandra (Francesca Capaldi) and that she is a fiery and beautiful redhead about his age. Naturally, as kids will do, the pair finds trouble to get into and a kidnapping attempt is made on them. Before long, Alex, TJ, and Max have joined forces to figure out who could be behind the plot.

The next day, the cavalcade of politicians and their respective families and entourages make their way to Camp David, where more odd things happen. The kids are working to narrow it down to who the culprit could be, whether it is Russian security detail members, an angry Russian cook, or even Agent Thorn himself! Of course, TJ's wild theories are ignored by his parents, as they are doing everything they can to keep the peace during these talks and accusations like this can't help matters. Soon, the adults will be forced to listen as both kids are in danger and it looks like only Max can save them now.

Max 2: White House Hero is a fun, family-friendly romp. The acting is competent and I especially enjoyed newcomer Zane Austin and vivacious Disney vet Francesca Capaldi (Dog with a Blog), whose Russian accent was pretty darn adorable. Sure, everything is a bit overdone, but not enough so that it is annoying. There's some pre-teen angst, a smattering of romance, and lots of adventure, and I can see Max 2: White House Hero being a film kids would want to watch over their summer vacation.

Included are two short special features, one a featurette focusing on the dog training involved in making the film and the second being a kid-driven behind the scenes with Zane Austin and Francesca Capaldi. Both are fun pieces, but the main meat of the product is the film itself. If you have kids who like dogs and dog movies (especially ones with happy endings), you might want to check out Max 2: White House Hero.

Warner Bros. provided me with a copy of this Blu-ray. My opinions are my own.